Crime
Officials Confirm No Active Shooter or Shooting During Fireworks Event at Thomas Cloud Park in Huber Heights
A celebration at Thomas Cloud Park took a chaotic turn Saturday night when panic erupted among attendees following reports of an active shooter. However, Huber Heights Mayor Jeff Gore has confirmed that there was no active shooter and no shots were fired during the city’s Star-Spangled Celebration.
Mayor Gore stated he had been in direct communication with the Chief of Police throughout the evening and verified that the incident stemmed from a false alarm.
“Someone yelled ‘shooter,’ and that spread like wildfire, causing widespread panic as people rushed for the exits,” Gore said in a social media post. “But again, I want to emphasize: there was no active shooter and no gunfire.”
The fireworks show, a family-friendly annual event that attracts hundreds of residents, descended into chaos as crowds began to flee in what witnesses described as a stampede.
Law enforcement officers and emergency personnel quickly responded to the scene.
One attendee described the moment panic set in:
“We saw everyone running and screaming, so we ran too. It was total confusion. Cops were everywhere. I just hope nobody was seriously hurt.”
Another witness recounted that her nephew, his girlfriend, and their two young children were forced to flee as chaos unfolded near where they were sitting. “They had to snatch up the kids and run,” she said.
Reports have surfaced of minor injuries, including individuals who may have been trampled during the mass exit. Emergency crews were seen assisting people, though no serious injuries have been confirmed as of Sunday morning.
Huber Heights police are continuing to investigate the source of the false alarm and working to ensure public safety at future events.
Mayor Gore urged the community to remain calm and be cautious about spreading unverified information during emergencies.
“Misinformation can be just as dangerous in these situations,” he said. “Thankfully, there was no active threat. Our first responders acted quickly and professionally to protect everyone.”
City officials are reminding residents to rely on official sources for updates and information.
MT. JULIET, Tenn. — Authorities have identified two victims killed during an active shooter incident at Cedar Creek Marina in Mt. Juliet late Friday night.
The suspect, identified as Gary Haley, a convicted felon with an extensive criminal history, is deceased following an officer-involved shooting, officials confirmed.
Mount Juliet Police officers were dispatched at approximately 9:30 p.m. Friday to the Cedar Creek Marina, located in the 9000 block of Saundersville Road, after receiving reports of a man threatening another individual on the docks.
Due to the active shooter report, a shelter-in-place order was issued for the surrounding area as a precaution.
Upon arrival, officers located an adult male suffering from a gunshot wound.
The victim was later identified as Robby Brogdon, who was transported to a local hospital for emergency medical treatment.
Despite life-saving efforts, Brogdon later succumbed to his injuries.
Investigators determined that the suspected shooter had retreated to a boat within the marina and had barricaded himself inside.
The standoff continued for several hours as officers secured the scene and attempted to resolve the situation safely.
At approximately 1:00 a.m. Saturday, the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) reported that the suspect engaged responding officers and fired shots at them under circumstances that remain under investigation. Officers returned fire.
The suspect, Gary Haley, was later found deceased aboard the vessel.
During the course of the response, officers also discovered a second adult male victim, Nathan Jones, who had been shot by the suspect.
Jones was pronounced dead at the scene.
No law enforcement officers were injured during the incident.
The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation has assumed responsibility for the investigation, which includes a homicide, an attempted homicide, and an officer-involved shooting.
TBI agents are actively conducting interviews, collecting evidence, and working to establish a comprehensive timeline of events.
Upon completion of the investigation, findings will be submitted to 15th Judicial District Attorney General Jason Lawson for review.
Authorities stated that additional information will be released as it becomes available.